One of pro wrestling’s biggest stars has joined the cast of Dark Match, a horror movie that’s now in the works. The movie’s title is a pro wrestling reference, as “dark match” is terminology used to describe untelevised wrestling matches. At least one actual pro wrestler will be featured in a key role, as All Elite Wrestling grappler Chris Jericho has been announced as part of the cast. Per Deadline, Dark Match will also star Ayisha Issa (Transplant), Steven Ogg (Better Call Saul), Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries), Michael Eklund (Wynonna Earp), and Jonathan Cherry (Goon).
“Stoked about this!” Jericho said of the news, sharing the report on Twitter.
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Dark Match follows a small-time wrestling company who “accept a high-paying gig in a backwoods town, only to discover when they arrive that the community is run by a mysterious cult leader with devious plans for their match.”
Writer-director Lowell Dean (Wolfcop) said after recently wrapping on the project, “It’s been a blast filming in Edmonton and working every day with such a talented cast and crew. I’m excited for the opportunity to work with Dept.9 Studios and for the producer’s support in bringing Dark Match to life.”
Jericho also serves as an executive producer on the project alongside producer John MacDonald. Don Depoe and Michael Feehan are also producing for Dept.9 alongside Rhonda Baker and Michael Peterson.
Chris Jericho Has Recent Experience in Horror
Just recently, Jericho appeared in another horror film with his role in the bloody sequel Terrifier 2. In an exclusive interview with MovieWeb, Jericho said how he joined the sequel because he was such a big fan of the first Terrifier, and in particular David Howard Thornton’s Art the Clown character. However, Jericho also believes his AEW persona could stand up to Art or any other horror movie villain.
“I don’t know if Jericho could but The Painmaker might be able to," Jericho said when asked if he would defeat Art in a wrestling match. “The Painmaker was conceived as what a serial killer would look like if he was a pro wrestler… There’s your crossover, The Painmaker versus Art the Clown, a graphic novel waiting to happen.”
Jericho has appeared in other genre films like Android Apocalypse, Albino Farm, and Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!. More recently, he appeared in Kevin Smith’s horror-comedy anthology film KillRoy Was Here, and he also appeared in the horror documentary In Search of Darkness: Part II to speak about his love for the genre. Jericho has also had roles in the films MacGruber and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. He can be regularly seen on All Elite Wrestling programming.
